I had kept my eyes on the market for the best organic and non-toxic mattress for a few years, knowing that I would have to upgrade my youngest to a big bed eventually. That time has come and passed, and so I wanted to let you in on the process of purchasing a brand new mattress that was as healthy as possible for his little growing body. There are so many things to consider when it comes to investing in an organic mattress. I wanted to share some of the things I learned while researching the best organic and non-toxic mattresses. And why I landed on the option we did.
* This items in this post were gifted to me by Obasan. As always, I will only recommend brands that have passed my seal of approval and that I truly love. After testing these products for minimum 60 days, this is my honest review. Thank you for supporting my little green space on the internet. *
I was left very surprised when I truly dug into certain brands of organic mattresses that are well known and heavily promoted. Many of them have gotten away with certain claims and hold specific certifications and consumers have no idea that they only have to hit certain quotas and percentages of “organic” and “natural” materials used to use those certifications. This is truly bothersome, considering buying a mattress is a fairly substantial investment for most people. Some brands are basically tricking consumers into thinking they are buying the best and safest option for their family but it’s not quite the case, this is a form of “greenwashing”.
The more I read and learn about natural mattress manufacturing, I have come to understand that many of the companies being promoted in the wellness world aren’t actually as safe as they are being marketed to be. I find this really unsettling and disheartening. Its one thing to make a blunder when purchasing a $40 beauty product but when you are investing hundreds to a couple thousand dollars in something like a mattress, you should be getting exactly what your dollar paid for.
I dug into so many brands and finally landed on one. It won by a landslide and I would probably never be able to opt for a different brand because they checked off all of my must haves. They are as clean and organic as you get and the company is truly incredible – Obasan Organic.
But let’s dig into The process of choosing a mattress first, and then I’ll explain why Obasan is the most natural and organic option available on the market today.
Choosing the Best Organic and Non toxic Mattress: Toxins and Harmful Additives to Avoid
When swapping out your home with natural products, I’ve always said that it’s best to focus on the items that you use the most. When you think about it, you spend a good majority of your lifespan lying on a bed. Depending on your age and circumstances, the average human typically spends about 6-12 hours of a 24 hour period sleeping on a bed. This doesn’t count time spent relaxing, reading a book, studying, etc. during the day. Buying a mattress is certainly one of the more expensive investments and can be a bit more so when it comes to down to choosing the best option for your health. So if you are shelling out a pretty penny, you will want to be sure that you’re getting a quality product that will positively impact the quality of you and your family’s overall wellness.
There are a few major categories to look into when looking for the best organic and non toxic mattress. Let’s break it down. Here are a few reasons why you might want to opt for an organic mattress versus conventional:
- CHEMICAL OFF GASSING
What is off gassing? This is the release of chemicals in the form of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) into the air you breathe once you open your new mattress. They typically smell pungent and this is what people have termed “new mattress smell” or “new car smell”.
Off gassing mostly comes from mattresses made with polyurethane and synthetic foam mattresses. These are the material used by conventional mattress companies. Within these materials are chemical compounds that release into the air once you remove the plastic wrapping from your new purchase. The chemicals can range from, but are not limited to:
- Trichloroethane: This is used when making adhesives, inks & oil cleaners for metal car parts.
- Chlorofluorocarbons: a blend of chemicals used for refrigeration, packing, & aerosols. They have begun the process of phasing this out as it depletes ozone.
- Perfluorocarbon PFCs: a blend that contains carbon and fluorine that are used in solvents & oxygen tanks.
- Toluene: a solvent used to make adhesives, paint thinners, gasoline & rubber.
- Methylene: hazardous compound used in paint stripping, oven cleaners, & foam production.
- Naphthalene: chemical compound used in mothballs, plastics, insecticides & synthetic fibers in foams.
- Benzene: chemical compound used in detergents, plastics & dyes. Benzene is naturally released through fires and volcanoes. This is also the compound that creates the smell of gasoline.
- Formaldehyde: a cancer causing compound that is used mainly for preservation. The chemical used toe balm dead bodies.
The level of VOC’s that off gas after opening a new mattress reduces over time but a study has found that when sleeping on a mattress, heat can induce more off gassing past the six month mark. Children and Babies who spend more time on mattresses are more prone to toxic effects of these VOC’s over time. When you or your children heat up at night or sweat, this can create further toxic off gassing into your system. That is why it’s best to search out options that have little to no off gassing occurring.
Obasan is one of the only mattress companies in the world to provide a ZERO off gassing standard. This is due to the materials they use which I will discuss further in a moment.
2. FIRE RETARDANTS
Another form of chemicals that can leach into your bloodstream or your lungs that are used in manufacturing mattresses are fire retardants. These are chemicals that are intentionally sprayed onto the mattress itself to reduce the time it takes for the item to catch fire if your home was to burn down. While this is a good idea in theory, it comes with health risks. The reason for adding fire retardants to furniture and clothing in the world today is because furniture products are now made primarily with synthetic material that combusts and catch fire quicker than furniture and clothing that was made from natural substances years ago. Real woods, metals and fabrics used to be standard in manufacturing these products but companies changed this when they found that using cheaper synthetic material was more economical for their budgets. This means that they compromised on quality, which created hazards when it came to potential disasters like house fires. They accommodated this penny pinching change by means of spraying toxic chemicals over their products. In actuality, you are getting a cheaper product AND a product laden with health damaging chemicals while the companies make more money off of you.
Thankfully there are companies like Obasan that are dedicated to using those traditional materials like real wood, wool and rubbers that are naturally fire resistant. No need to spray toxic chemicals all over the products and you are getting the highest quality mattresses that will last a much longer life span.
3. COIL SPRINGS & EMF ATTRACTION
Did you know that coil springs will attract EMF radiation from wireless routers and other sources of EMF within and in range of your home? This means that these waves are directed right towards your body and is the close equivalent of carrying your cell phone against your person all day. It’s well documented that EMF radiation comes with major health impacts and reducing exposure wherever we can is paramount to our health.
“The problem of health effects of RF EMF has not been definitively resolved, but due to the results of previous research on possible health effect of RF EMF, it seems necessary to use precautionary principles and ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) principles, when the new sources of electromagnetic emissions will be planned and installed.” Bortkiewicz A. (2019).
In short, this means we should limit and reduce exposure to these frequencies as much as possible. By purchasing a bed without coils, you reduce the attraction of EMF radiation towards your body dramatically.
Important to note that just because a mattress company is organic or natural does not mean they are coil free. There are only a handful of companies that ensure this and Obasan is one of them.
4. HIDDEN SYNTHETIC MATERIAL & ORGANIC CERTIFICATIONS
Did you know that in order to certify a mattress organic, it only requires 80% organic material? The rest is a free for all. Never fully trust an organic certification, they give an indication that a product is only a certain level of organic. It was interesting to see how many brands actually took that 20% leeway and used cheaper conventional ingredients to fill that quota without consumers being aware. They do not legally have to disclose this information, and they can just slap that “certified organic” label on their marketing package and keep the rest a mystery.
Many organic brands have been purchased to be cut open and see what is truly inside their product. It is staggering to see the amount of Organic mattress companies who are still using synthetic and conventional materials while marketing to consumers that they are 100% safe, natural, and/or organic. You really have to dig into the manufacturing process of each company and sometimes even then they have buried pieces of their manufacturing and materials. If they aren’t able to provide you with exact materials and their sourcing then I would be wary as they can withhold this information from you.
Choosing the Best Organic and Non toxic Mattress: What to look for & Questions to Ask before you Buy
• organic certification/80% rule: dig into the company and their manufacturing process. Do they disclose any synthetic materials used or hidden within? Do they stand by all materials being 100% organic? Honesty from brands is certainly a hard thing to come by when they are trying to mask cutting corners in their product, but based on how detailed and general their responses are, you can sometimes guess at whether or not they are being transparent. Obasan was one of the only companies that were able to confirm that every inch of their product was organic and provide sourcing to each.
The lesson here is, you can never fully trust an organic certification as it does not necessarily suggest that the product is 100% organic.
• sourcing/materials used: further to this, where are they sourcing their materials from? Is it from areas known for producing top quality? Can they provide you sourcing information? Are they fair trade? Obasan sources globally and from different areas based on the material. They have done their research and searched the globe for top quality of every single material they use (full sourcing information found below in my full review).
• coil free (emf attraction): Is avoiding coils important to you? Have you dug into the impact of EMF radiation on the body? If you are searching for coil free, then your search will narrow once you notice how many organic companies still use coils within their mattresses. I personally opt for coil free and Obasan does not use this type of structuring within their mattresses at all.
• fire retardants/added chemicals: as we’ve discussed, not every organic mattress company is 100% organic, which means some synthetic materials within their product may still contain added chemicals which were either added during their creation in factory or afterwards. Were these materials sprayed for any reason? Were flame retardants added to materials before being shipped off to the mattress company prior to manufacturing your mattress? These are the concerns I have over companies who are not truly 100% organic.
When talking about conventional mattress companies, almost all of them practice chemical spraying of flame retardants before shipping off to the consumer.
Obasan Organic Mattress Features: Health Benefits and Quick Checklist of features
- Mattresses last 20+ years
- Coil free
- 100% organic
- No synthetics, glues, toxic chemicals used during any stage of the sourcing or manufacturing processes
- Well sourced globally for top quality and purity
- Breathes well (due to use of natural fibers)
- Mold and dust mite resistant
- Naturally fire resistant (no chemical fire retardants used or required)
- Hand made (by 15 people per mattress to be exact)
- Locally made since 1985
- Each product is custom and made to order
Obasan Organic and Non Toxic Mattress Full Review
Now onto my personal review and experience with Obasan. I am reviewing four different pieces separately as you can buy them piece by piece and decide what works best for you and your family. I also added sourcing information for materials used within products.
Organic Children’s Double Mattress
Okay, let’s get into my experience with the mattress itself. We have the children’s double organic mattress that features both medium and firm options. When you receive your child mattress, you can decide how to configure the mattress to opt for either firm or medium comfort. It’s very simple as the pieces are listed clearly on each side. The firm option is great for children who have just transitioned from their crib and want to stick with a firmer mattress for safer sleep. The medium side is softer but still firm enough in my opinion. We opted to sleep on the medium pressure and have loved it. I have no aches or pains and sleep so well throughout the night.
The mattresses are made from high quality 100% organic material. These materials are never synthetic and are sourced globally for their optimal quality. The mattress comes in two pieces of 3′ rubber layers. One layer is more firm and meant as the base layer to provide support. The second layer has the option for both medium and firm sides that you can flip to your preferred level of comfort. These two pieces are then kept together in a zipped casing that is made out of 100% cotton jersey and organic wool to ensure moisture control and temperature regulation. It’s easy to remove this casing to spot clean if necessary and it is naturally fire resistant thanks to the wool which means it’s completely toxin free. It’s also very easy to put together and I did this completely on my own. You can see my video on how I put this mattress together at the link here:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFNKyktAwFr/?igshid=1epf7dkhxx9qv
These mattresses are made to grow with your child. You won’t need to replace the bed for a different one when they become a teenager and they last 20+ years whereas other mattresses only typically last 8-9 years at most. The mattresses regulate temperature naturally throughout the night so if you have little ones who become hot at night, this won’t trap heat but rather this mattress has good air flow and temp control thanks to the natural fibers it is constructed with. I have found this to be completely true as both me and my son are furnaces when sleeping. Neither of us have felt as hot as we typically do at night. The temperature control is one of the best features.
Obasan Organic Material Sourcing: Highest Material Standards Available
When purchasing an organic product, it is so important that you ensure the company is open and honest about their sourcing of materials. There are many stages where chemicals can be added or are present but companies wouldn’t necessarily have to declare this as it wasn’t part of the manufacturing phase. This isn’t the case with Obasan. They are very forthcoming with their sourcing. As they should be, their materials come from some of the highest quality producers from around the globe! They even get into sharing about the nitty gritty processes used when sourcing materials to give us an idea of just how dedicated they are to the highest quality products. Here’s an overview of some of their main materials and where they are sourced from:
Obasan uses Organic Rubber that is certified grade A organic and sourced from Sri Lanka, and cooked using the dunlop process. Rubber as a raw material destabilizes quite quickly before being shaped into a final product and many companies will use chemicals as a solution to this problem to ensure it maintains its integrity during shipping to their manufacturer. Obasan, however, does not use chemicals for this process. Instead, they shape the rubber into sheets at the source and prior to shipping to the manufacturing factory. This extra step eliminates added chemicals to the materials. Just like their wool, rubber is naturally dust mite and mildew resistant.
Organic cotton is a popular material to use in products like mattresses as it is well known for its softness and comfort. That being said, conventional cotton is one of the highest sprayed crops with pesticides so ensuring you have an organic cotton is key. Obasan only uses organic cotton sourced from the foothills of the Andes in Peru. It is ethically sourced and termed a “long lost staple of the Pima variety” which features the longest fibers in the world. The cotton fibers are harvested by hand to maintain complete purity. All of the spinning and weaving processes are completed in Peru under some of the strictest GOTS organic certification standards.
Lastly, the Organic wool used by Obasan is sourced in Patagonia, Argentina. Organic wool provides the following benefits:
- optimal moisture control
- naturally fire resitant
- naturally mildew and dust mite resistant
- high shape retention and longer product life span
After a lot of time researching different wool producers, Obasan landed on the optimal source. The remote region in Patagonia has never been cultivated in the modern age meaning ZERO pesticides or chemicals have ever been used in the region. This eliminates the possibility of contamination while the sheep graze over the land. The sheep roam free for 12 months of the year and are sheered twice a year. Because of this, these sheep produce a coarser wool that has more spring and resilience than other wools on the market.
You can read all about the quality of their hand made mattresses and the way they’ve sourced from some of the highest quality producing areas of the world. It’s impressive, but once you get to experience the mattress itself, you gain an even deeper appreciation for how well it is made. Your mattresses and organic sleep accessories are made by 15 of the most talented craftsmen and craftswomen. They make these pieces in house and locally in Canada. They never outsource during any steps of the manufacturing process.
To add to this, every single piece, no matter how big or small, is made to order just for you. The detail is unbelievable and they were very quick at putting this together. As soon as you put your order through they are busy starting the manufacturing process from scratch using their high quality sourced materials kept in house. Our experience is with the child doubless mattress and bed but they have incredible options for Organic adult mattresses of all sizes, organic pillow toppers to create a softer sleep, organic crib mattresses for babies, and organic sleep accessories such as bed protectors.
Their options are endless and I am beyond impressed with every aspect of Obasan and their mattresses, including their amazing staff who make it very obvious that they are here to help you make the best choice. I have loved every dealing I have had with the company from the front desk answering the phones to their staff that ensure you are making the best choice for your family. They take the time to really educate, ask questions and share how passionate they are about safe sleeping. You are never rushed and every question is answered with the most detail, care and passion. It is companies like this one that I love to support because they are few and far between these days.
Check out mattresses on their website – HERE.
Organic Shredded Rubber Pillows
Honestly, this pillow is the most comfortable pillow I have ever used in my entire life. It might sound silly and I’ve never really been picky about pillows, so I didn’t expect to notice much of a difference between this pillow to the next. It’s very soft and molds to your neck and head so you don’t feel too propped up and your neck is not ajar. If you feel it is too plump for you, you can open and remove some of the rubber to customize it to your liking.
In addition to the comfort level we’ve enjoyed with these pillows comes the health benefits of using an organic pillow for your head versus a conventional option. This pillow is filled with shredded organic rubber sourced from Sri Lanka. This is because Sri Lanka is well known as the best source for high quality rubber milk. With good quality rubber you will see long term elasticity and shape retention. Natural rubber milk is sourced from the Para rubber tree and it’s then cooked slowly and steadily at low temperatures using what’s called “the Dunlop process”. This ensures quality, elasticity and shape retention which in turn means longer lasting. Just as its important to ensure your body is sleeping on a safe organic mattress all night, your head also deserves the same consideration. I feel at peace knowing my family’s sweet heads are laying on some of the safest pillows around. No concerns over off gassing of chemicals so close to their brains or breathing in toxicants all night. So much care has gone into this process of producing such a high quality product that is safe for you and your family to lie your head on.
* As you can see from the photo below, there is a double casing with pure organic shredded rubber within. You can remove some for your desired shape and thickness. *
In addition to this rubber being the highest quality, it’s naturally mildew and dust mite resistant. This means you won’t be sleeping with your face against irritants or potential mold growth. A sweet added touch is that they can stitch your Family’s names into the pillow during manufacturing. I have one for each of my Family members and it is such a special touch.
Check out their organic pillows on the website – HERE. Obasan has so graciously offered a discount code for The Holistic Vanity readers to use on all pillows except the pregnancy pillow. Use discount code: THEHOLISTICVANITY to enjoy 15% off all organic pillow options at checkout.
Organic Wool Mattress Protector
I have two children and one of the most useful products for children is a protective bed covering. Accidents happen and you don’t want to have to panic over the impact this has on an investment like a mattress. Many bed protectors come filled with toxic additives to prevent leaching of liquids and are sprayed with fire retardant chemicals. There are better options when it comes to mattress protection and that comes in the form of natural wool.
Wool is naturally water repellant which means it will not allow liquids of any kind to hit the mattress below. Obasan created this mattress cover out of 100% organic wool which is much safer for your overall health. You or your family aren’t being exposed to synthetics and toxicants as you sleep.
We have had the odd accident on our Obasan here and there. I am able to happily share that the wool protector has done its job and I have never had a leaking issue into the mattress below. When an accident happens you simply remove the protector from the bed and wash it before putting it back on. You can either hand wash or run through a laundry machine without an agitator on delicate in COLD water. Following the wash, I allow it to air dry. You do NOT want to dry this in the machine as any heat will shrink the natural wool fibers. Gentle, Cold Water and Air Drying are key factors in keeping your mattress protector in top knotch condition and ready for the next accident.
* The photo directly below shows how easily it is to add the protector to a mattress. Elastic bands in each corner slide into place to keep the protector intact. *
The organic wool used by Obasan is sourced in Patagonia, Argentina. It repels water naturally as I’ve mentioned above, wool is also naturally fire resistant so there is no need for chemical fire retardants to be sprayed on the product. Conventional protectors and mattresses crafted with synthetic materials are required by law to spray these chemicals all over the product that you then sleep on every night. My suggestion is to opt for a natural option such as these protectors made of wool. This wool is also mildew and dust mite resistant which helps protect you and the mattress from mold growth or dust mite exposure.
Check out their protectors and organic bedding accessories on the website – HERE.
Organic Bed Frame & Base
It’s important to buy a bed frame that raises a natural mattress off of the floor. These mattresses are made to breathe and deter mold growth and dust mites. By placing a mattress directly on the floor you are disrupting the natural air flow throughout the materials within. Without elevating any mattress you risk mold and mildew growth so I don’t recommend ever having ANY mattress of ANY kind sitting directly on a floor.
I opted to use Obasans bed frames as they are made ethically and with organic and natural materials. The legs shown in the photo above are actually made with wood harvested straight from Canadian forests. The foundation is manufactured without the use of glues or synthetics and is high quality. It’s also aesthetically pleasing with their use of natural textiles. You have lots of options for colour and style to customize your own bed frame on Obasan’s website. I think they are just beautiful!
Obasan Foundations are hand crafted with the finest Quebec FSC wood. They are finished with the same organic cotton jersey as our mattresses and are padded with layers of organic wool. They are available in 4 and 8 heights and come with wood legs. -Obasan.ca
There are a variety of cover fabrics and heights to choose from and customize to your desired height and aesthetic. The assembly is simple as you only need to screw the wooden legs into the base and move it to the desired location of your bedroom. It is certainly not painstaking like an ikea build so rest assured that anyone can put together the frame quite easily. For reference, My foundation is the double 8″ height with fabric in “studio knit”.
Specifically designed to support and extend the lifespan of your mattress, our customizable foundation provides the breathability needed for a perfect night’s sleep. -Obasan.ca
I have been beyond impressed with every aspect of Obasan.
I have spent many years digging into a variety of organic mattress companies and Obasan was at the top for their level of safety, their quality, their ethics, and their customer service. I have been thrilled to be able to work with them over the years and bring you full and honest reviews of their organic products. I personally chose Obasan after vetting a handful of organic brands and seeing their true dedication towards providing a quality product. They are a transparent company with kind people working to produce some of the most special mattresses and accessories. When speaking with them you can hear how passionate they are about safe sleep. Being able to test this product showed me that their dedication turns out the most beautiful handcrafted non-toxic products. The attention to detail is incredible and I feel so safe having my little one sleeping on this bed.
I highly recommend Obasan over any other brand. Have a look at their website and you will gain an understanding of how amazing they are. Customize your own mattress made to order just for you. You can bring my discount code: THEHOLISTICVANITY with you for 15% off all organic pillows (excluding the pregnancy pillow).
I promise you won’t be disappointed investing in this company and their incredible organic sleep products.
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Sources:
Bortkiewicz A. (2019). Health effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF EMF). Industrial health, 57(4), 403–405. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.57_40
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